Genesis 45: A Surprising Twist
"Come close to me...I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you."
The old lingering rivalry between Joseph and his brothers comes to a dramatic climax in this chapter. First, a famine forces Joseph's brothers from their homeland to Egypt, a country that, thanks to Joseph, has prepared for the emergency. There, the brothers must deal with Joseph, now a powerful Egyptian official, whom they no longer recognize. Joseph has a choice to make. He can make up with his brothers on the spot, welcoming them with open arms. Or, he can take revenge by ordering their executions.
Joseph feels great emotional strain, though, in terms of forgiveness. He wants to reconcile with his brothers, whom he loves, but to do so is excruciatingly difficult. Beginning a series of elaborate tests, he demands things from his brothers, and even plays tricks on them. For nearly two years he plays these games! Until they admit and accept their guilt, true reconciliation cannot occur.
Finally, the brothers discover the stunning truth: the teenager they sold as a slave and nearly killed is now the 2nd ranking official of Egypt. Joseph holds their fate in his hands. However, Joseph is now ready to forgive and to welcome them all to the haven of Egypt. Reconciliation heals old wounds and brings peace at last to the troubled family of Jacob.
And so the brother's reconciliation towards the end of the Book of Genesis opens the way for the children of Israel to become one family of 12 tribes. On this foundation God builds his nation, the Israelites (the sons of Jacob). In this sense Joseph's story typifies the story of God and His people. The struggle to root out the sin that began in Genesis 3 does not happen easily. It ultimately demands the death of God's Son. Joseph's story points towards Jesus- a man God sent to save His people, a man who was hated and betrayed by them, just as Joseph was. With both Joseph and Jesus, God's will to save conquers all.
Life Question: Have you ever struggled with the logic of forgiveness? Is there someone in your life whom you have been unable to forgive?
"Come close to me...I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you."
The old lingering rivalry between Joseph and his brothers comes to a dramatic climax in this chapter. First, a famine forces Joseph's brothers from their homeland to Egypt, a country that, thanks to Joseph, has prepared for the emergency. There, the brothers must deal with Joseph, now a powerful Egyptian official, whom they no longer recognize. Joseph has a choice to make. He can make up with his brothers on the spot, welcoming them with open arms. Or, he can take revenge by ordering their executions.
Joseph feels great emotional strain, though, in terms of forgiveness. He wants to reconcile with his brothers, whom he loves, but to do so is excruciatingly difficult. Beginning a series of elaborate tests, he demands things from his brothers, and even plays tricks on them. For nearly two years he plays these games! Until they admit and accept their guilt, true reconciliation cannot occur.
Finally, the brothers discover the stunning truth: the teenager they sold as a slave and nearly killed is now the 2nd ranking official of Egypt. Joseph holds their fate in his hands. However, Joseph is now ready to forgive and to welcome them all to the haven of Egypt. Reconciliation heals old wounds and brings peace at last to the troubled family of Jacob.
And so the brother's reconciliation towards the end of the Book of Genesis opens the way for the children of Israel to become one family of 12 tribes. On this foundation God builds his nation, the Israelites (the sons of Jacob). In this sense Joseph's story typifies the story of God and His people. The struggle to root out the sin that began in Genesis 3 does not happen easily. It ultimately demands the death of God's Son. Joseph's story points towards Jesus- a man God sent to save His people, a man who was hated and betrayed by them, just as Joseph was. With both Joseph and Jesus, God's will to save conquers all.
Life Question: Have you ever struggled with the logic of forgiveness? Is there someone in your life whom you have been unable to forgive?
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In terms of human nature, this may be one of the toughest obstacles in life. I have two people in my life whom I have struggled mightily with in terms of reconciliation and forgiveness. It's so easy to thrive on vengeance towards someone who has brought about some sort of trust violation or character attack. But I know in my heart that God is calling me to "get over it" and take Joseph's lead. If Jacob's son can forgive his brothers for tossing him down a cistern and selling him off into slavery...well, I probably should be able to move forward with my life and take the high road when it comes to Christian forgiveness and reconciliation.
1 comment:
Jesus taught His followers to pray: "Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others." The logic involved in this has nothing to do with human weight and measure of sin. I will excuse "minor" offenses in my thought/words/deeds and hold a grudge for what I consider to be major in the life of another. The prayer continues: "Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil." A major part of being lead into temptation has to do with unforgiveness in our hearts as this is a great distraction to the work that the Lord has in mind for us. My answer to the question: Yes, I struggle with this; but I must not interfere with God's logic about this matter.
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